Beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

An improved float valve for dispensing syrup at a constant head and hence at a constant rate of flow to a soda fountain mixing valve in which the syrup is to be mixed with carbonated water.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Vance V. Elklns Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

[2] 1 Appl. No. 807,735

[22] Filed Mar. 17, 1969 [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [73] Assignee The G8: W Manufacturing Company Conshohocken, Pa.

[54] BEVERAGE DISPENSER 9Claims,6DnwingFigs.

[52] 03. CL 222/67, 137/433,277/165 [51] Int. Cl. B67d 5/08 [50] FieldofSear-ch 222/67, 129.1,129.3, 56; 137/430, 431, 433; 277/165,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,673,005 3/ 1954 Brown222/67 X 2,733,567 2/1956 Zellweger.... 277/205 X 2,904,062 9/1959Techler 137/433 2,991,514 7/1961 Cotchett 277/205 X 3,078,013 2/1963Forbes, Jr. 222/67 3,144,963 8/1964 Savage 222/67 X PrimaryExaminer-Evon C, B1unk Assistant Examiner-1'1. S. LaneAttorney-Lawrence 1. Field ABSTRACT: An improved float valve fordispensing syrup at a constant head and hence at a constant rate of flowto a soda fountain mixing valve in which the syrup is to be mixed withcarbonated water.

PATENTEU JUN] 5 I971 SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG. 2.

I N VENTOR ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUNISIBYI I 3584.764

sum 2 OF 2 IIIIII'IIII'IIIJ INVENTOR Vance \[Elkins 1/ ATTORNEY BEVERAGEDISPENSER This invention relates to an improvement in soda fountainmerchandising dispensers for dispensing mixed drinks consisting offlavored syrup and carbonated water mixed and dispensed as a singlestream in an appropriate and specific predetermined ratio of syrup tocarbonated water into a drink ing cup or glass. The specific ratio ofthe two beverage components is obtained by providing means for insuringa controlled constant rate of flow of each of the two components into adevice which mixes and discharges them as a single stream.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an improvement in afloat controlled valve which provides for dispensing the syrup bygravity flow under a constant head or pressure and which achieves thedesired constant rate of flow of the syrup component of the beverage.

Prior art dispensers into which the present invention may beincorporated are illustrated by the description in U.S. Pat. 2,673,005issued Mar. 23, I954, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. It is to be understood that the present invention is equallyapplicable to other beverage dispensers in which it is necessary toobtain a gravity discharge of syrup at a constant rate from a syrupreservoir in which the pressure head would normally diminish as thelevel of syrup in the reservoir diminishes and that will operate equallyas well under field conditions and variables as it will under bestlaboratory setups.

The invention will be more readily apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspectiveshowing the float valve of thepresent invention installed in a fountain dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a view ofa portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2, seen fromabove;

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2, seen frombelow;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken along plane 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken along plane 66 of FIG. 3.

In broken lines in the schematic view in perspective of FIG. 1, there isshown an elongated dispenser box 10 of the type shown in the above notedU.S. Patent and ofa size and shape suitable for mounting on a sodafountain counter or jug rail. It has two sidewalls, two end walls and abottom, all insulated, leaving an open top on which rests a removablelid or cover. The box interior volume accommodates a removable syrupcontainer 14 shaped to fit into one end of the box. Extending from thesyrup container bottom 22, which is substantially flat and horizontal,is a downwardly projecting spout 26 which permits gravity discharge ofthe syrup from the lower part of the syrup container. The remainder ofthe box interior volume is usually filled with crushed or cubed icewhich will chill the syrup. The dispenser box bottom is provided withtwo vertical tubes, one of which is a drain tube 18 which is flush withthe box bottom interior and forms a port for the purpose of draining offmelted ice water, and the other of which is a syrup tube 16 whichprojects upward a short distance above the box bottom interior so thatice-melt water is prevented from entering into it. This second verticaltube forms a second port and its location in the box bottom is such asto permit it to receive a syrup container spout 26 which is of size tofit freely down inside it. A faucet unit 72, mounted underneath the boxbottom, also has an upwardly projecting tube (not shown) which fits upinto the syrup tube and connects to and seals with the syrup containerspout extending downward within the syrup tube. This connection isachieved by a sliding telescopic fit of the upwardly projecting faucettube (not shown) within the downwardly projecting syrup container spoutand the seal between the two is achieved by means of a rubber O-ring(not shown) mounted in a groove on the faucet tube. Thus syrup isconducted by gravity from the bottom of the syrup container and throughthe spout and into the faucet mounted on the box bottom exterior. In thebottom of the syrup container 14 is the improved removable float valvemechanism for the present invention, provided for maintaining constantsyrup pressure head on the syrup as it enters the faucet. By meanshereinafter described, the rate of flow of syrup through the faucet willbe constant regardless of the height of syrup in the syrup containerwhenever the faucet isoperated, until the syrup container is emptied ofsyrup down to a level which corresponds with the height in the syrup jugat which the syrup enters and flows through the opening 50 of the floatvalve mechanism.

As best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the syrup container 14 comprisesupwardly and outwardly sloping sidewalls 20 which merge smoothly into asyrup container bottom 22 which is essentially flat and horizontal.Located at a side of the syrup container bottom, nearest to thedispenser box end wall, is the downwardly extending spout 26 anddischarge port 24. This spout fits into and is freely received by thesyrup tube 16 heretofore mentioned in the description of FIG. 1.

The syrup container 14 is preferably formed of synthetic resinousmaterial which is resistant to any chemical attack by the constituentsnormally present in carbonated beverages so that the container does notcontaminate the syrup or impart off-flavors thereto. The lower portionof the syrup container preferably has a horizontal cross section whichis substantially round. The upper portion of the syrup container may beof any shape that will conform to the box interior and will bemanufactured by currently available techniques.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the lower centerof the syrup container 14 and including spout 26 and also through thecenter of a float mechanism which is in its normal position at thebottom of the syrup container. It shows the float enclosed within thespace defined by the syrup container bottom and a horizontal disc orroof supported above the syrup container bottom by means of legs 34which are integral with the disc, and which serve as a cage to confinefloat 52 while permitting limited vertical and horizontal movement ofthe float, as well as any practical degree. of tilt from perpendicular.

Supported on the interior bottom surface of the base 22 of the syrupcontainer is the improved float valve mechanism of the presentinvention. This mechanism consists of two principal parts: the float 80and cage 30, both also preferably made of inert synthetic resin. Cage 30comprises a generally round horizontal disc or roof member 32 with adownwardly extending skirt 33 from which a suitable number oflegs 34extend downwardly so as to rest on base 22 and support the disc at adefinite distance above base 22. In FIG. 4, four legs 34 are shown, butit will be understood that any number of legs may be utilized to afforda stable footing to support roof 32.

As best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the skirt 33 is provided with aperipheral groove 40 which is adapted to receive a washer 42 which isoriginally in the form of an annular disc inexpensively diecut or moldedfrom a preferably relatively stiff sheet of inert rubber. The innerdiameter of washer 42 is somewhat smaller (roughly 10 percent) than thediameter of the circle defined by the inside surface of the peripheralgroove 40. Thus, the rubber washer will of necessity be in a stretchedcondition when it is in its normal position in the peripheral groove andone corner 44 will be firmly held against the inside surface of groove40 creating a seal all the way around the groove past which liquidscannot pass. The washer tends to take on the shape of a conical sectionwhen it is in its stretched position in the peripheral groove and liesagainst a corresponding conical configuration 46 which forms the upperside of the peripheral groove 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. When washer42 is in its normal position in the peripheral groove, its outerdiameter is somewhat greater than the inner diameter of the roundhorizontal cross section of the syrup container at the point which isopposite the outer extremity of the washer. The washer is of sufficientthickness and stiffness so that its outer extremity exerts mechanicalforce against the wall of the syrup container and creates a seal pastwhich liquid will notpass. Thus, the space at the bottom of the syrupcontainer below the cage-roof 32 and its washer is hermetically sealedoff from the syrup reservoir in the upper part of the syrup containerabove the cage-roof 32 and washer 42, except for the cage-disc opening50 mentioned below.

At one side of the disc there is, extending in an upward direction, aboss 38 ported through the disc which is adapted to receive a vent tube48, the upper end of which communicates with the atmosphere causing anyliquid in the bottom of the syrup container below cage-roof 32 andwasher 42 to be subjected to atmospheric pressure at all times. Thisvent tube can also be used as a handle" by use of which the entirecagefloat mechanism can be lifted and removed from the syrup container14 for cleaning and servicing.

The float valve includes a horizontally round float member 52 which isof sufficient diameter to be contained within the space below the cageroof and between the cage legs and will thus be free to move up and downeven with some tilt to the cage roof and float. lts top surface slopesdownward from the center outward so that syrup or liquid will quicklydrain off to the sides. Float 52 comprises a hollow body portion fromwhich there extends a centrally located upwardly pointing boss 54 whichreduces to a smaller diameter post 56. Post 56 is of a diameter smallerthan an opening 50 located at the center of the cage disc. Post 56 canprotrude upward and through opening 50. Near the upper end of post 56, atransverse bore 62 is formed through the post designed to receive aremovable pin 66 which insures that float 52 cannot fall out of the cagewhen the float-cage mechanism is removed from the syrup container forcleaning, etc.

A flat shoulder 58 extending inwardly toward post 56 is adapted toreceive a rubber O-ring 60 which is of a diameter so as to be stretchedslightly when seated around post 56 and thereby creating a seal withpost 56. On the underside of the cage roof 32, opening 50 is of aspherical configuration and size, as shown in FIG. 6, so that O-ring 60will fit up into and seal against the sides of opening 50 when the floatrises to its raised position. It is to be noted that O-ring 60 will fitagainst and seal with the sides of opening 50 even when the float andits boss are tilted from a true vertical because of the sphericalconfiguration of the sides of opening 50.

From the above description, it is believed that the operation of thefloat valve will be readily apparent. Syrup, which has flowed downwardthrough the opening 50 and around post 56 which protrudes upward throughopening 50, collects in the bottom of the syrup container causing thefloat to move upward so that boss 54, with its O-ring 60, fits up intoand seals against the spherical configuration of opening 50 bringingsyrup flow down through opening 50 to a halt when the syrup has reacheda specific, definite, and consistent height within the chamber definedby the syrup container and the cage roof with its washer. This syrupwhich collects in this chamber having constant height and havingconstant exposure to atmospheric pressure by means of the vent tube willthus have a constant head of pressure until syrup in reservoir abovecageroof 32 runs empty.

When handle 70 is actuated, a faucet valve 72 is moved so as to open aport connecting passage 24 at the lowermost end of the syrup chamberwith an outlet 74 through which a mixture of syrup and carbonated wateris to be dispensed. As a result, syrup begins to flow from the chamberdefined by the cage-disc 32 and the bottom portion of the syrupcontainer sealed by means of washer 42. This causes float 52 to sink alittle with the result that the seal between O-ring 60 and cageroofopening 50 is broken. Syrup then flows into the cage chamber andmaintains the height of syrup within the chamber substantially constant.This, of course, also has the effect of maintaining the desired constantsyrup pressure head assuring a constant rate of syrup flow into faucet72 when handle 70 is actuated.

The above description effects for the first time positive seals of thefloat chamber to a predetermined level when dispenser is not beingoperated. All other previous construction allows the float chamber andvent tube to fill to the level of the syrup in its container, becausemanufacturing tolerances are such that true concentricity, flatness andlevel are not achieved on production runs and installations.

I claim:

1. ln a fountain dispenser for intermittently or continuously dispensingsyrup comprising:

a syrup container molded with a flat bottom portion, said bottom havinga discharge port for discharging the contents of said container when afaucet connected to said port is opened;

a float cage within said container and resting on the bottom of saidcontainer, said float cage including a roof portion and an annular skirtdepending from said roof and legs supporting said roof a fixed distancefrom the bottom of said container, there being a passage extendingthrough said roof portion of said cage;

a float within said cage, said float including a buoyant body portiondefined by a bottom wall, a cover and sidewalls connecting the bottom tothe cover, and a post extending upwardly from the central axis of saidcover of said float and passing through the passage in said roof;

an O-ring secured to said post, the opening in said roof being a concavehemispherical shape so that said O-ring will effect a seal even whensaid float is in its raised position, even when said roof is not level;

a port in the roof of said cage and a venting tube extending upwardlyfrom said port and exposed to the atmosphere at its upper end;

said skirt having a groove formed in its periphery closely adjacent tosaid roof; and

a normally flat annular washer in said groove, dimensioned to conicallyflex into contact with said chamber and hermetically seal the spacebetween the cage and the inner wall of said container and to therebydefine a float chamber at the bottom of said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the groove has a recessed verticalportion and an upwardly inclined face extending toward said roof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the washer is under stretch stress.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover of the float slopesoutwardly and downwardly to achieve rapid drainage of liquid lying ontop of said float.

5. In a device such as a fountain beverage dispenser, where a liquidcomponent is to be dispensed from a container through a spout by meansof gravity flow and where it is desirable or necessary to maintain asubstantially constant rate of discharge of the liquid through the spoutwhich comprises:

a container for liquid formed with a flat bottom portion and a lowersection formed by sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom, saidsidewalls having a horizontal cross section which is round, and saidsidewalls restricted to defining a cylinder or a section of a conesloping upwardly and outwardly from said bottom, and an upper sectionwhich may be of any shape and size but with no internal part of itprojecting inwardly of any vertical line which may extend upward fromany part of the said sidewalls which form the said lower section of saidcontainer, said bottom having a discharge port for discharging theliquid contents of said container when a faucet connected to said portis opened;

a float cage within said container including a substantially flat andhorizontal roof portion with a surrounding skirt depending from saidroof, said skirt sloping downwardly and inwardly from a plane at orabove the plane of the upper surface of said roof to a plain below thelower surface of said roof, said skirt having a recessed groove aroundits exterior with its open side facing outwardly, the plane of saidgroove being slightly below the plane of said cage roof, legs descendingfrom said cage roof near or from said skirt, said legs supporting saidroof at a fixed distance above said bottom of said container, therebeing an opening through said cage roof which is located in said cageroof, there also being a port in said cage roof and a venting tube whichcommunicates with and extends upwardly from said port and is exposed tothe atmosphere at its upper end above the liquid in the said container;

a float within said cage being positioned below said cage roof andbetween said cage legs, said float including a buoyant body portiondefined by a bottom wall, a cover and sidewalls connecting the bottom tothe cover and a post extending upwardly from the central axis of saidcover of said float and passing through the said opening in said cageroof, said float being limited to vertical motion between said bottom ofsaid container for liquid and said cage roof, and to horizontal movementbetween said cage legs, even if dispenser and cage roof lacks a fewdegrees of being level;

an O-ring or quad ring secured around said float post in a stretchedcondition, the said opening in said cage roof being of size and shape tobe completely sealed by said O- ring mounted onsaid float post when saidfloat is in its highest vertical position; and

an originally flat annular washer positioned in said groove in saidskirt and conically flexed into contact with said container sidewalls,which seals the space between the said skirt depending from said cageroof and the inner wall surface of said lower section of said containerand to thereby define a float chamber at the bottom of said container.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the opening in the cage roof is of asmaller diameter on the upper side of the cage roof than on theunderside of same and the inside surface of the cage roof opening is ofa configuration which defines a section of a sphere against the surfaceof which the Oring mounted on the float post will seal when the float isin its maximum raised position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the post is provided with ahorizontal bore extending transversely through the post, said boreadapted to receive a pin extending through said post.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the groove in the cage skirt has arecessed vertical portion and an upwardly and outwardly inclined upperside.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the washer is under stretch stress.

1. In a fountain dispenser for intermittently or continuously dispensingsyrup comprising: a syrup container molded with a flat bottom portion,said bottom having a discharge port for discharging the contents of saidcontainer when a faucet connected to said port is opened; a float cagewithin said container and resting on the bottom of said container, saidfloat cage including a roof portion and an annular skirt depending fromsaid roof and legs supporting said roof a fixed distance from the bottomof said container, there being a passage extending through said roofportion of said cage; a float within said cage, said float including abuoyant body portion defined by a bottom wall, a cover and sidewallsconnecting the bottom to the cover, and a post extending upwardly fromthe central axis of said cover of said float and passing through thepassage in said roof; an O-ring secured to said post, the opening insaid roof being a concave hemispherical shape so that said O-ring willeffect a seal even when said float is in its raised position, even whensaid roof is not level; a port in the roof of said cage and a ventingtube extending upwardly from said port and exposed to the atmosphere atits upper end; said skirt having a groove formed in its peripheryclosely adjacent to said roof; and a normally flat annular washer insaid groove, dimensioned to conically flex into contact with saidchamber and hermetically seal the space between the cage and the innerwall of said container and to thereby define a float chamber at thebottom of said container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the groovehas a recessed vertical portion and an upwardly inclined face extendingtoward said roof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the washer isunder stretch stress.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover ofthe float slopes outwardly and downwardly to achieve rapid drainage ofliquid lying on top of said float.
 5. In a device such as a fountainbeverage dispenser, where a liquid component is to be dispensed from acontainer through a spout by means of gravity flow and Where it isdesirable or necessary to maintain a substantially constant rate ofdischarge of the liquid through the spout which comprises: a containerfor liquid formed with a flat bottom portion and a lower section formedby sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom, said sidewalls havinga horizontal cross section which is round, and said sidewalls restrictedto defining a cylinder or a section of a cone sloping upwardly andoutwardly from said bottom, and an upper section which may be of anyshape and size but with no internal part of it projecting inwardly ofany vertical line which may extend upward from any part of the saidsidewalls which form the said lower section of said container, saidbottom having a discharge port for discharging the liquid contents ofsaid container when a faucet connected to said port is opened; a floatcage within said container including a substantially flat and horizontalroof portion with a surrounding skirt depending from said roof, saidskirt sloping downwardly and inwardly from a plane at or above the planeof the upper surface of said roof to a plain below the lower surface ofsaid roof, said skirt having a recessed groove around its exterior withits open side facing outwardly, the plane of said groove being slightlybelow the plane of said cage roof, legs descending from said cage roofnear or from said skirt, said legs supporting said roof at a fixeddistance above said bottom of said container, there being an openingthrough said cage roof which is located in said cage roof, there alsobeing a port in said cage roof and a venting tube which communicateswith and extends upwardly from said port and is exposed to theatmosphere at its upper end above the liquid in the said container; afloat within said cage being positioned below said cage roof and betweensaid cage legs, said float including a buoyant body portion defined by abottom wall, a cover and sidewalls connecting the bottom to the coverand a post extending upwardly from the central axis of said cover ofsaid float and passing through the said opening in said cage roof, saidfloat being limited to vertical motion between said bottom of saidcontainer for liquid and said cage roof, and to horizontal movementbetween said cage legs, even if dispenser and cage roof lacks a fewdegrees of being level; an O-ring or quad ring secured around said floatpost in a stretched condition, the said opening in said cage roof beingof size and shape to be completely sealed by said O-ring mounted on saidfloat post when said float is in its highest vertical position; and anoriginally flat annular washer positioned in said groove in said skirtand conically flexed into contact with said container sidewalls, whichseals the space between the said skirt depending from said cage roof andthe inner wall surface of said lower section of said container and tothereby define a float chamber at the bottom of said container.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein the opening in the cage roof is of asmaller diameter on the upper side of the cage roof than on theunderside of same and the inside surface of the cage roof opening is ofa configuration which defines a section of a sphere against the surfaceof which the O-ring mounted on the float post will seal when the floatis in its maximum raised position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 whereinthe post is provided with a horizontal bore extending transverselythrough the post, said bore adapted to receive a pin extending throughsaid post.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the groove in the cageskirt has a recessed vertical portion and an upwardly and outwardlyinclined upper side.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the washer isunder stretch stress.